Feed Value of Insect Based Protein Sources and the Possibilities of Using in Poultry Nutrition

ABSTRACT: In this review, the nutrient content of insect based protein sources, digestibility, functional features and the possibilities of using in poultry nutrition were discussed. It is expected that chicken meat and egg consumption will increase in the near future, and the amount of feed material requirements will increase at the same level in accordance with the intensive production to meet the needs.

Today, it is impossible to meet the nutrient requirements of broiler and laying hens that reached maximum genetic capacity with the low quality feed materials. In this sense, new protein sources with high essential amino acid content and high digestibility instead of fish meal. Scientific studies showed that methionine, lysine and cysteine contents of the black soldier fly, common housefly and mealworm were lower than fish meal and the amino acid profile of the black soldier fly, common housefly and mealworm was close to fish meal. At the same time, it is possible to use insect origin protein sources in poultry diets. However, insect production areas can create a source of microbial contamination. Moreover, insect origin feeds can contain insect produced toxins that create an allergic and toxic effect on animals. Therefore, the using insect origin protein sources as feed in poultry should depend on regulations prepared with scientific based studies and the sensitivity of society.

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